Thomas clarkson was one of the most prominent eighteenth century antislavery campaigners. Now a free man, equiano returned to london where he made significant contributions to the abolitionist movement, and published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, which influenced the slave trade act of 1807. In his biography, he records he was born in what is now nigeria, kidnapped and sold into slavery as a child. Published in 1789, equiano s autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Equiano purchased his freedom in 1766 and became active in the british antislavery movement. Distinguishing itself from the arguments of abolitionists thomas clarkson and john newton, equiano s christian argument against the slave trade and slavery proved historically unique because he wrote about the horror of slavery, having experienced it firsthand. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. In his autobiography, olaudah equiano writes that he was born in the eboe province, in the area that is now southern nigeria. Works by or about thomas clarkson at internet archive. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Mar 27, 2020 olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. Read this essay on an analysis of thomas clarkson and olaudah equiano.
In his essay he describes what it is like for the slaves to be taken from their home has traveled a considerable way. British citizens campaign for the abolition of the slave. Thomas clarkson and ottobah cugoano download ebook pdf. Thomas clarkson and olaudah equiano were both abolitionist writers, clarkson with his essay and equiano with his biography. There was olaudah equiano, an eloquent, freed igbo slave, who. They devoted their lives to the cause and were pivotal in the eventual bill which abolished the slave trade within britain 1807. Students compare equiano to thomas clarkson, look at both of their campaign methods and have a look at equiano s autobiography. Completely revised and edited with an introduction and notes by vincent carretta an exciting and often terrifying adventure story, as well as an important precursor. The name of olaudah equiano s book, which contributed to the abolition of slavery. Antislavery campaigners wilberforce, clarkson, equiano. Reading poetry by thomas day and hannah more, novels by sarah scott and henry mackenzie, life writing by ignatius sancho and olaudah equiano, and political writing by james ramsay and thomas clarkson, british abolitionism and the rhetoric of sensibility shows how slaveowners and abolitionists made use of the rhetoric of sensibility to influence a reading public thoroughly immersed in the. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. Get the knowledge you need in order to pass your classes and more.
This lesson is on olaudah equiano and his significance in the campaign against slavery. Books similar to the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. From an early age, olaudah equiano experienced the horrors of slavery first hand. It was led by figures like the quaker thomas clarkson who successfully agitated for the abolition of the slave trade in britain. Olaudah equiano 17451797, enslaved african and author who married in cambridgeshire, and thomas clarkson 17601846, a graduate of st johns college, were both early activists.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano ebook written by olaudah equiano. Equiano s work became an important part of the abolitionist cause, because he was able to portray. Olaudah equiano has 94 books on goodreads with 32822 ratings. Not only is it an indepth account of his life in enslavement and as a freedman, but it is also the first autobiography to ever be published by a former slave. Olaudah equiano was an african writer, abolitionist, seaman and civil rights campaigner who had formerly been enslaved. Reading poetry by thomas day and hannah more, novels by sarah scott and henry mackenzie, life writing by ignatius sancho and olaudah equiano, and political writing by james ramsay and thomas clarkson, british abolitionism and the rhetoric of sensibility shows how slaveowners and abolitionists made use of the rhetoric of sensibility to influence a reading public thoroughly immersed in the eighteenthcentury cult of feeling. Olaudah equiano biography list of works, study guides. British citizens campaign for the abolition of the slave trade, 17871807. A remarkable account of early slavery and later freedom, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is the 1789 autobiography of former slave olaudah equiano. Wilberforce did not work closely with olaudah equiano, the former slave. Letter from thomas clarkson introducing gustavus vasa. He was born in nigeria in 1745 into the igbo tribe. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. An analysis of thomas clarkson and olaudah equiano term.
They were aided by john clarkson, younger brother of abolitionist thomas clarkson. Equianos moving account delves into his experience as a sailor and explores the importance of his religious. An essay on the slavery and commerce of the human species, particularly the african. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Buy a cheap copy of the interesting narrative of the life of. He went on lecture tours around britain and ireland arranged and spent much of the 1790s campaigning against slavery. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. He was the most prominent black antislavery activist and lobbyist in 18th century britain and is popularly held to be the countrys first black political leader. Thomas clarkson 17601846 was an english abolitionist, and a leading campaigner against the slave trade in the british empire.
They likely met each other at some point, but the movie added him because he. The question and answer section for the life of olaudah equiano is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Olaudah equiano s narrative of his life as a slave, published in 1789, was written to convince the public of the evils of the slave trade. An analysis of thomas clarkson and olaudah equiano term paper.
Bury the chains by adam hochschild books the guardian. How 18thcentury writer olaudah equiano s firsthand experience with slavery enabled his christian argument against it may 15, 2019 the word of god was sweet. Sep 25, 2003 discover book depositorys huge selection of olaudah equiano books online. Essays on the slavery and commerce of the human species, p. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah equiano. Need help with chapter 8 in olaudah equiano s the life of olaudah equiano. But, eventually one of his master gave him his freedom. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano kindle edition by olaudah equiano author. A controversial look at the most renowned person of african descent in the eighteenth century.
Still known by his slave name, olaudah equiano had written his autobiography, now considered the first widely read and influential slave narrative. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Click download or read online button to get thomas clarkson and ottobah cugoano book now. Find books like the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equianos argument against slavery was his life. Explore books by olaudah equiano with our selection at. At the age of eleven olaudah equiano was kidnapped, along with his sister, and sold into slavery. Equiano s narrative spurred nine english editions through 1794 and was published in dutch, french, and russian. Olaudah equiano, author info, published books, bio, photo.
Olaudah equiano s most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. Thomas clarkson collected evidence against slavery posters, pamphlets and public speeches olaudah equianos book william wilberforce campaigned against the slave trade. Need help with chapter 10 in olaudah equiano s the life of olaudah equiano. Wilberforce led the campaign at the start, thomas clarkson helped him and travelled the world to find information, equiano was an ex slave who could tell, from personal events, what happened to. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano similar books. Equiano is believed to have died in 1797 at the age of 52. Thomas clarkson 28 march 1760 26 september 1846, abolitionist, was born at wisbech, cambridgeshire, england, and became a leading campaigner against the slave trade in the british empire. Olaudah equiano published his autobiography in 1789, detailing his kidnap from africa, his voyage across the atlantic and his life in slavery. Jan 04, 2018 olaudah equianos 1789 memoir the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african has been named in a list of the 100 best nonfiction books of alltime compiled by robert mccrum, associate editor of the observer, and published in the guardian. Chapter xii etext the life of olaudah equiano chapter xii. To the lords spiritual and temporal, and the commons of the parliament.
Translated from a latin dissertation, which was honoured with the first prize in the university of cambridge, for the year 1785. It was highly effective in arousing public opinion. Later, when equianos origins were questioned after his book was published, the guerins testified to his lack of english when he first came. Described by one contemporary as a moral steamengine, he was an anglican clergyman who had had a passionate interest in the abolition of the slave trade since his time at cambridge university. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Olaudah equiano, later to be known as gustavus vassa, also had direct. He was born some time around the year 1745 in the kingdom of benin, an area found in presentday nigeria. One of the books that he read whilst researching this essay was anthony. Written by himself from the worlds largest community of readers. His interesting narrative served as the foremost abolitionist writing of the day because he was an african voice that described the violence and degradation of the slave trade and of slavery itself. Abolition of the slave trade the national archives. The life of olaudah equiano etext chapter xii gradesaver. Equiano published his own autobiography, the life of olaudah equiano the african in 1789, a detailed account of an africans movement out of slavery, and the most important single literary contribution to the campaign for abolition.
Why did the english abolish slavery the slave trade in. The interesting narrative and other writings by olaudah equiano, edited by vincent. At this time, former slaves olaudah equiano and ottobah cugoano wrote against the evils of slavery. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. This essay is an analysis of equiano s narrative which will particularly focus on the religious themes in his book, and how he used these themes to convincingly convey his message. The trials of british romanticism, which studies the relation between political suppression and. Jan 01, 2009 published in 1789, equiano s autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Olaudah equiano 17451797 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. There was olaudah equiano, an eloquent, freed igbo slave, who gatecrashed london society and wrote bestselling books about his own experiences. This lessons explores the work of two great abolitionists with source work included. In this widely aclaimed biography, historian vincent carretta gives us the authoritative portrait of olaudah equiano c. Letter from thomas clarkson to rev mr jones, trinity college, cambridge 9 july 1789 introducing gustavus vasa notes. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african.
Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative. See all books authored by olaudah equiano, including the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. He published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano 1789, which depicted the horrors of slavery. At that time, thomas clarkson also traveled throughout the country gathering information, witnesses, and documents about the slave trade. Works by thomas clarkson at the online library of liberty. The life and legacy of the freed slave whose autobiography fueled britains abolitionist movement. Despite equianos public requests to tes tify, apologists for slavery were harrying abo litionists such as thomas clarkson. He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave. Thomas clarkson and the abolition of the slave trade one of the great movements for liberty was the abolitionist movement in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the autobiography of olaudah equiano. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval officer. He was helped by abolitionist friends, such as thomas clarkson, who recommended his book and wrote letters of introduction. Olaudah equiano 1745 1797 was an 18thcentury african writer and antislavery campaigner. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano essays are academic essays for citation. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. Interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or.
Books similar to the interesting narrative of the life of. Thomas clarkson and ottobah cugoano and the history of antislavery. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Olaudah equiano was an african slave in london who gained his freedom, helped to support the end of slavery in britain, and wrote about it in his autobiography. These early activists included men such as thomas clarkson and george fox. Although not the first account of slavery from an african point of view, his book became the most popular and widely read. Thomas clarkson and the abolition of the slave trade. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah. Olaudah equiano 1745 31 march 1797 was a freed slave who supported the british movement to end the slave trade.
Clarkson was joined by a cast of characters that included olaudah equiano, a former slave whose eloquent memoir made him a literary and political. On 25 march 1807, the abolition of the slave trade act entered the statute books. This enabled him to become a british citizen and he began writing about his experiences. He was an excellent writer and his book became a bestseller, challenging many of the widely held assumptions of the time, about africans and the transatlantic slave trade. It went through nine editions in his lifetime and helped gain passage of the british slave trade act 1807, which abolished the slave trade. Olaudah equiano quotes author of the interesting narrative. From the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. It discusses his time spent in slavery, serving primarily on galleys, documents his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his eventual success in gaining his own freedom and in business thereafter. Different transactions of the author s life till the present timehis application to the late bishop of london to be appointed a missionary to africasome account of his share in the conduct of the late expedition to sierra leonapetition to the queenconclusion.
What did clarkson wilberforce and equiano do to help get. When abolitionists thomas clarkson and ottobah cugoano published their essays on slavery in the late eighteenth century, they became key participants in one of the most important human rights campaigns in history. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano kindle edition by equiano, olaudah. Drawing of the slave ship brookes the british library. Come browse our large digital warehouse of free sample essays. He travelled throughout england promoting the book. Thomas clarkson and olaudah equiano key stage 3 history. Mar 17, 2005 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself language. The life and legacy of the freed slave whose autobiography fueled britains abolitionist movement charles river editors on. His autobiography, published in 1789, helped in the creation of the slave trade act 1807 which ended the african trade for britain and its colonies. Thomas clarkson wrote an essay titled essay on slavery and commerce of the human species. In his book, clarkson describes thoroughly the quaker background to the abolitionist movement and the parliamentary debates leading to the slave trade act of 1807. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is the foundational text of africanamerican autobiography. Books by equiano, olaudah sorted by popularity project gutenberg books by equiano, olaudah sorted by popularity. He toured slave ports, interviewed sailors and talked to the makers of leg irons established the society for the abolition of the slave trade. Olaudah equianos 1789 memoir named in this list of the 100. Thomas clarkson thoughts on the haitian revolution excerpt from an 1823 clarkson book. He was sold several times until he was finally shipped to the barbados and then to. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. The book made a vital contribution to the abolitionists cause. Other close friends and allies were thomas clarkson, hannah more an educator, writer and social reformer who was also known for her writings on abolition and for encouraging women to join the antislavery movement. Olaudah equianos epic book tour for his bestselling firsthand. He describes how he was kidnapped with his sister at around the age of. Olaudah equiano, a former slave who purchased his own freedom, is best known for the autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano 1789. With thomas clarkson, william wilberforce and granville sharpe, equiano was a major abolitionist, working ceaselessly to expose the nature of the shameful trade. Project gutenberg offers 60,363 free ebooks for kindle, ipad, nook, android, and iphone. The life of olaudah equiano etext list of subscribers. British abolitionism sought to expose the realities of transatlantic slavery in addition to asking politicians to help dehumanized africans in the new world, and this edition brings. Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. This welcome edition, ably edited by angelo costanzo, provides readers of today a generous introduction to equiano s life and times in a highly readable and informative format. Olaudah equiano, was a former enslaved african, seaman and merchant who.
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